Nutrients, vitamins and minerals: let's sort it out?
It can sometimes be difficult to navigate all the technical terms, which is why La Mère Poule offers you a concise, clear summary that's as simple as her recipes! 😉
Nutrients, in short, are the elements absorbed by the body during the process of nutrition. Organic and inorganic compounds are necessary for our bodies to sustain life. When digested, they are absorbed by the cells of the intestine and enter the bloodstream.
Vitamins and minerals are subcategories of nutrients. Vitamins, for their part, have no energy value, but are essential for the proper functioning of our bodies. They help regulate metabolism, facilitate energy release, and contribute to the synthesis of bones and tissues. Good to know: vitamins D and K are the only ones that can be synthesized other than through food. That's why it's important to consume foods rich in vitamins!
Minerals, so essential for the proper functioning of our bodies, are found in unlimited quantities in nature, in water or soil. They are components of enzymes and hormones, help in the formation of bones and teeth, and contribute to maintaining heart rhythm, muscle contraction, neuronal conduction, and the body's acid-base balance. Quite a feat!
Ultimately, trace elements are mineral substances that make up less than 1% of our body mass. They play a key role in our body's chemical reactions by regulating physiological functions, promoting exchanges between tissues, and boosting our immune system! Quite a feat for such tiny workers. 😉
Having trouble getting a clear picture? We've thought of everything! You can consult our table (downloadable PDF) for more information!
Are vitamin and mineral supplements necessary?
We all know that life moves very fast, and that eating well can become a real parental headache. That's even the reason behind the La Mère Poule was created to make feeding your baby simpler without ever compromising the quality of their nutrition. You might still be tempted to opt for a vitamin and mineral supplement for a little boost. If you're considering this, remember that a rich and varied diet will always be your best ally, but if you're in a specific situation, such as pregnancy, it can be a worthwhile option.
Because our children are growing so rapidly, it's important to consider whether they need vitamin and mineral supplements. First, breastfed babies should have a vitamin D supplement to meet their needs. For other children, it depends on each child's individual situation. A rich and varied diet (see PDF chart) generally provides everything a growing child needs, making a multivitamin unnecessary. HOWEVER! Children at risk of deficiency might benefit from a supplement, such as children with chronic illnesses, eating disorders, multiple food allergies, or those with a less balanced diet or a strict vegetarian diet. In these specific cases, a supplement might be necessary, but this varies depending on your child's circumstances, so it's wise to discuss it with their doctor.
Supplements: the special case of pregnancy
Of course, pregnancy is one of the special cases! While a varied diet is once again key to success, it's still suggested that supplements aren't overlooked. Folic acid is essential, so it's recommended to start taking it as a supplement three months before conception. Once pregnant, opt for a multivitamin specifically formulated for pregnant women throughout the entire pregnancy.
Deep freezing: why did La Mère Poule choose this method?
Why are our purees frozen? First of all, it's important to know that deep-freezing and freezing are two different processes. While freezing gradually lowers the temperature (like in your freezer, for example), deep-freezing allows you to cool food rapidly, in a few minutes to an hour, to preserve all its nutritional value.
The molecules in food are affected by storage conditions. That's why fresh produce is so popular, and rightly so! The sooner food is consumed after harvesting or initial processing (in the case of meat, for example), the fresher and more nutrient-rich it will be. At La Mère Poule, we offer you a product that we strive to make exceptionally fresh, and that's why we've chosen to freeze it. Since picking an apple from your garden, mashing it, and eating it immediately isn't something everyone can do, we recreate the experience by freezing our products to ensure optimal preservation of their nutritional value while they're on their way to you!
